When you want to make a few touches and upgrades to your place without breaking the budget, spray paints are unbeatable. Spray paints are available in classy new colour shades and finishes, unlocking various aspects to spray paint. They can be used on various surfaces; from stepping stones and concrete blocks to plastic, wood and metal furniture. The options are limitless. However, getting professional results goes beyond skill and expertise. Read on to know the do’s and don’ts of spray paint.
DO’S
Choose the Appropriate Location
Like any painting project, your workspace should be a well-ventilated area to enable you to work well. If you have good weather, you can as well carry your work outdoors. But, be careful with the winds. Strong winds can tamper with you getting good coverage, making it difficult for you to remove your work and damage the finish in the end. Likewise, if you’re working inside, ensure all the windows are open to allow cross ventilation. You may consider painting in your garage, close to an open door.
Practice Safety
There’s every likelihood for overspray to occur. To avoid this, cover your surrounding area with newspaper or cloth. If your work surface is small, place the piece inside a box of cardboard to control the overspray. You also need to protect yourself in the process. While using aerosol, it may enter the eyes or eyes.
Therefore, always wear goggles, a dust mask or respirator. Wearing gloves is another good option. Always remember that while painting, overspray may stick to the sole of your shoes. So, remove your footwear and check the bottom before going out of the paint area to avoid making tracks.
Use a Sweeping Motion
Waving the paint can in random motion give uneven results. Instead, put the can about six to eight inches from the work surface and paint with even, horizontal strokes. Sweep from left to right, right to left to get even results. While painting, ensure you don’t waste time in a particular spot. This could result in drips, and you don’t want that.
Allow the paint to undergo complete curing
Although spray paints dry off quickly, it requires a minimum of 24 hours for complete curing to occur. Oppose the temptation to move your piece to another location or replace any material removed until it has reached the curing time as stated on the paint container.
DON’TS
Fail to make proper preparation
To every successful painting, adequate preparation is vital. Therefore, you have to do the needful to mend holes or scratches, and smooth or rough spots and edges with sand. However, this is dependent on the material you’re painting. Wash your job with a mild cleaning agent solution, rinse using water and leave to dry thoroughly.
Rush the work
To achieve the best coverage, apply the paint in thin coats. You need not worry if the first two coats are transparent and you can see through them. Here, patience is a virtue and the key to success.
Have a Heavy Trigger Finger
While painting, spray in small streams rather than constant spurts. This is to avoid spots and messy painting and also save paint. Be attentive to hear the brief air bursts coming from the can, rather than a long, steady hiss while painting.
If you are not confident enough to handle spray painting, consider hiring professionals. Reach out to professional spray painters in the Gold Coast.